Cash-cycle management, branch optimization, sales/marketing consultation and automation, automated checkout and managed services are expected highlights for January's Wincor World 2009. The annual banking and retail solutions trade show, held at Wincor Nixdorf AG's global headquarters in Paderborn, Germany, is gearing up for an attendance turnout of about 8,000 — in line with what the show has attracted in years past.

A number of solutions to be highlighted this year revolve around operational efficiencies and cash-cycle management — two expected focal points for both financial institutions and retailers in the coming year, said Dado Nesic, the show's organizer for banking solutions.
 
"More efficiencies in the branch and self-service technology generally will be a focus," Nesic said. "And there will be focus on our extended range of services, and how we are tailoring our solutions for the banks and leaning on our third-party providers for enhancements."
 
Cash-cycle management will be one key — highlighting the importance of cash-point optimization across the board, from banking to retail, from the ATM to the point of sale. The ProClassic/Enterprise Retail Banking Solution Suite, overall, will take center stage, especially when professional services and security are discussed — where Wincor Nixdorf's new ProTect security features will be highlighted.

Self-service: A strong message
 
Despite the cross-industry hype about mobile solutions and applications, Wincor Nixdorf said it expects self-service to remain one of the central product offerings.
 
"Mobile solutions have grown in importance for us," Nesic said. "But, on the banking side in particular, self-service will be a strong feature, in addition to mobile."
 
Mobile banking will be a part of the ProClassic/Enterprise presentation, where mobile interaction with numerous channels, including a television, a Nintendo Wii or a BlackBerry, as well as person-to-person payments and remittances, is expected to garner attention. Self-service, however, will maintain the spotlight.
 
Self-service to watch …
ProCash 6400 ATS system, or automated teller safe system, which is based on the technology of the ProCash 4000 series and includes cash-recycling for the teller
ProCash 3000 with a next-generation cash/check deposit module, which allows mixed bundle deposits
ProCash 4000 series with additional functionalities in a sidecar.
iCASH, a cash and coin recycling solution
"Those will be highlights, as will our new concept for the bank branch that we call 'WIN@Branch,'" Nesic said. "We are a full-service provider for branch solutions, and we are offering solutions this year in response to current and future challenges retail banks face for the branch. For one, there will be questions about future architecture for branch design, and there will be questions about IT infrastructure and how to make the branch more efficient."
 
Answers to those questions, whether from retail or banking, said Wincor Nixdorf press officer Ulrich Nolte, will also come from Wincor Nixdorf's software solution portfolio. Adopting and customizing the existing software to the needs of other industries are one of Wincor Nixdorf's self-identified strengths, Nolte said.
 
This year, the company will tout its new PC/E Postal Solutions suite, which builds on functionalities from the company's retail and banking portfolios. It's an ability the company has been displaying at Wincor World, alongside its 70 or so partners, for the last eight years.
 
Banking remains the strength, and cash-cycle management solutions that cross industries will no doubt consume a majority of the show floor.
 
Cash and retail
 
"One of the biggest growth areas we see (in the retail and banking spaces) is in cash management, like cash recycling at the teller line, which eliminates the very labor-intensive process of counting the money," said Wincor Nixdorf's new U.S. chief, Patrick Wright.
 
And with the use of cash on the rise, helping retailers automate cash processes will be a driving force for Wincor Nixdorf. An estimated 35 percent of U.S. retail consumers use cash for everyday purchases — a percentage speculated to go up as the economic outlook continues to spiral downward.
 
But some interesting hardware also is emerging from the retail side.
 
Reshaping the retail checkout area, by separating payment from checkout, is something Wincor solutions has over its competitors, Wincor Nixdorf said.
 
Take self-checkout with separate payment as an example. For years, the service has been met with success in Europe. Now, Wincor Nixdorf is pushing the same automated checkout solution in the United States with iCASH.
 
In April 2008, Wincor Nixdorf introduced its cash and coin recycling solution called iCASH to the United States.
 
"It can be cashier-facing and assist with transactions with self-service features; or it can be totally customer-facing, where the cashier never touches cash; or it can be a combination of both," said Chad Wagner, Wincor Nixdorf's director of marketing in the United States.
 
The iCASH 15 is a closed-coin-recycling system for attended self-service in-payments and out-payments. It features automatic coin-handling instead of a cash drawer.
 
The iCASH 10 features automatic note handling at the POS, and the iCASH 50 and iCASH 100 are each a closed-note-recycling system for the POS or cash office.
 
Wincor World 2009 runs Jan. 20 through Jan. 22 in Paderborn, Germany.

Tracy Kitten